Prayer Or a Discourse wherein the Nature of Prayer is open'd the Kinds of Prayer are handled and the right manner of Praying discovered Several Cases about this Duty are Resolved From Eph. 6. 18. Praying always with all Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit c. Unto which is added a Direction for the Attaining the Gift of Prayer That Family-Duty may not be omitted nor Secret Duty discouraged through Inability of Utterance and Expression A Heaven or Hell upon Earth Or a Discourse concerning Conscience on Acts 24. 16. Herein do I exercise my self to have a Conscience c. The True Touchstone which shews both Grace and Nature Or a Discourse concerning Self-Examination by which both Saints and Sinners may come to know themselves Whereunto are added sundry Meditations relating to the Lords Supper The more Excellent Way to Edifie the Church of Christ Or a Discourse concerning Love The Design of which is to Revive that Grace now under such decays among Protestants of ALL Perswasions The Conversion of the Soul Or a Discourse Explaining the Nature of that Conversion which is sincere and Directing and Perswading all to cease their Loving Sin and Death and to Turn to God and Live A Warning given to Sinners to prepare for Judgment to flee from Wrath to come and turn from All Sin but especially the Sin which does most easily beset them The Little Childs Catechism In which the Principles of the Christian Religion are in plain Words and short Answers laid down and suited to the Memories and Understandings of Little Children Whereunto are added several short Histories which may both please and profit them as also Directions how to Pray The Principles of the Doctrine of Christ Or a Catechism in which is contained the Sum of the Christian Religion or what is necessary to be believed and done in order to Salvation The Answers being but Seventeen in number and in very plain words easie to be understood Unto which is added a Catechism for Conscience wherein the Consciences of the Ignorant the grosly Profane the Young the meerly Mortal and the Hypocrites are examined in order to their Instruction and Awakening and the Consciences of the sincere Christians are tried in order to their Peace and Comfort The Saints Triumph over the Last Enemy In a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of that Zealous and Painful Minister of Christ Mr. James Janeway Unto which is added His Character His sore Conflict before he died And afterwards His Triumphant manner of departing from Earth to the Heavenly Inheritance On 1 Cor. 15. 55. O Death where is thy sting Israels Lamentation at the Death of a Prophet In a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of that Holy Learned and Painful Minister of Christ Mr. Thomas Cawton And now published at the earnest Desire of the Hearers On 1 Sam. 25. 1 And Samuel died and all the Israelites were gathered together and lamented him A Funeral Sermon Occasioned by the Death of Mr. George Baker First Preached and then Published at the earnest Desire of his Relations On 1 〈◊〉 1. 17. Pass the Time of your Sojourning â—â—re in Fear The Great Change Discoursed of in a Funeral Sermon occasioned by the Death of Mrs. Martha Thompson late Wife of Captain William Thompson in Wapping On Job 14. 14. All the days of my appointed time will I wait till my change come The Good of Affliction Psalm 119. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted that I might learn thy Statutes THough I appear not in the face of this Assembly as One risen from the dead yet as One raised from the very brink of the Grave and am again sent to Preach the Word of Life the Gospel of Salvation Since I was last in this place I have been brought very near to another World and when I had a clearer view of it I found that God was All and that all this World was nothing less than nothing and vanity When Sickness lies heavy and the last Enemy Death seems entring in at the door believe me then it appears that Divine Favour is better than Life the succours of our merciful and faithful High-Priest the Lord Jesus the supports of his Grace and that Peace of God which passes all understanding are things of real and of the highest value I did not know but that my Work and Life might be just ending but that I might quickly be in that place where I should see Man no more nor Preach any more the Word of Reconciliation But behold in Answer to the prayers of many health is restored and my Sickness will prove good both to me and you if I am more sincere in the exercise of and you are more serious in your attendance upon my Ministry I have been Once and again brought back from the gates of Death my obligation is increased to live more to God and to endeavour to do more good to the Souls of men I wish these ends of my life towards the conclusion of it may be attained more than ever The dealings of God with me of late have been very remarkable I desire aright to regard the operation of his hands and wisely to consider of his doings He has come into my house with a Rod in his hand and to one Member of my Family he gave a deadly blow and others he has struck down though not quite yet near to the Grave I my self have been of late twice seized with a Death threatning Malady and am here before you all to accept the punishment of my iniquity whereby infinitely worse has been deserved than what I have undergone I kiss the Rod for the needful healing strokes of it which I have felt and great reason I have to proclaim my Chastizers faithfulness and love and how good 't is for me that I have been afflicted In the words which I have read these particulars are observable 1. Here is an Exercise sharp and sore to Nature and which will put Grace upon the Tryal and prove the truth and strength of it and this Exercise is Affliction 2. The Person thus exercised is the Psalmist who was both Saint and Preacher Saints are afflicted that they may be more throughly sanctified Preachers are afflicted that they may Preach and labour to better purpose 3. From whom came the Psalmists Affliction the Rod which he felt was in God's hand To Him he speaks in the Text being sensible he had to do with God and God had to do with him Rods though of sins meriting are of God's making All bitter Cups are of God's own mingling the kind the measure the continuance of Affliction is of the Lord 's own appointment 4. The Issue of Affliction follows it issued well in the Psalmists truest good it made him really better than he was before therefore good for him indeed It was medicinal to his Soul the inward man was more renewed heart and life both very much amended 5. Here is a demonstration that Affliction was thus
Saints to God and strengthen their Resolutions to abide with God! Thus have I demonstrated that Saints are afflicted for their good In the Second Place I am to specifie that good which accrews to the Saints by Affliction 1. One good consequent of Affliction is a greater Power of Spiritual Discerning Prov. 29. 15. The Rod and Reproof give Wisdom If Mans Rod does so then it follows that the Rod of God does it much more Gods Teaching accompanies his Chastning and who Teaches like him Afflictions clear the Eye of the Soul so that it is more Single and Piercing It sees now plainly through the deceitfulness of Sin It sees the Worlds emptiness and Vanity and an End of all its Perfection It sees the Subtilty of the old Serpent and how much it concerns all neither to believe nor follow him It discerns the Insufficiency Weakness and Wickedness of Self and that 't is neither to be trusted in sought or pleased It sees the greatness of that Salvation which is in Christ and what an All-sufficient and Eternal Portion the Lord Jehovah is And the Afflicted Saints Knowledge of all this is more than Notional He knows by Experience as well as Speculation the Evil of Sin and the unsuitableness of the World is plain to his Spiritual Sense and so is the Power of the Grace of Christ In Affliction the other World opens and the Eye looks into it and what a Cypher then is this whole Globe of Earth and Waters The Apostles outward Man perished He was exercised with Affliction and what clear views had he then of things unseen 2 Cor. 4. 16 18. For which cause we faint not but though our outward man perish our inward man is renewed day by day While we look not at the things that are seen but at the things that are not seen for the things that are seen are Temporal but the things that are not seen are Eternal 2. Another good Consequent of Affliction is a more Pure and tender Conscience How great a Misery is it to have a stupid Conscience that is without or past feeling When a man has all his own Guilt and the Wrath of God abiding upon him not a Promise in the Bible belonging to him all the threatnings full charged with Curses and Woes just ready to be discharged at him And He himself is upon the very brink of Hell just ready to tumble in every Moment and yet is altogether unsensible of any danger Such a senseless Conscience is a deadly Sign it argues Spiritual Death to have full Power and Eternal Death to be at the door In the depths of Despair there is more Probability of Salvation than in the heighth of Presumption But Affliction startles the Conscience how quick is its Sight and Sense then The Saints have recourse to the Blood of Christ to purge their Consciences from all the Dead works in which they have been formerly employed And that Blood is sufficient for their Purgation and Peace Heb. 9. 14. How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offered up himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from dead Works to serve the Living God! And afflicted Saints are exceedingly afraid of making new wounds in their Consciences since the Smart of former wounds in their Spirits was so intolerable Lam. 3. 19 20. Remembring my Affliction and my Misery the Wormwood and the Gall my Soul has them still in remembrance and is humbled in me 3. Another good Consequent of Affliction is the Mortification of the Sin of Pride Pride is a Sin hateful to God it strikes at his Glory which God aims at in every thing he does And Pride is very hurtful to man 't is the hindrance of the Help which Divine Grace affords for God who gives Grace to the Humble instead of assisting does resist the Proud 1 Pet. 5. 5. And this Pride is the forerunner of falls into Sin and Ruine therefore says Solomon Pride goes before Destruction and an haughty Spirit before a fall The Lord cannot endure this Pride in his Saints and Affliction is sent to kill it The Troubles which the Israelites met with in the Wilderness when they were encountred with Fiery Serpents and Scorpions and Drought and many other Calamities the end of them all was to Humble them and Prove them and to do them good in the latter end Deut. 8. 15 16. A Saint who comes out of the Fire of Affliction with a Meek and humble Spirit his high Conceits and Thoughts of himself all cast down seeing himself to be nothing but what he is by the Grace of God this man looks like Silver coming out of a Furnance of Earth purified seven tunes and what a shining brightness and lustre is upon him 4. Another good Consequent of Affliction is a more perfect Subjection of the whole Man to God There is a Submission to Him by a Penitential Acknowledgment of Offences against him and justifying of him in his severest Dispensations Neh. 9. 33. Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us for thou hast done Right but we have done Wickedly There is a Submission to his Righteousness a great sense that 't is by the Righteousness of One onely the second Adam that the Free Gift comes upon all that are in him unto Justification of Life Rom. 5. 18. So Rom. 10. 4. Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believeth There is likewise a Subjection of Body and Soul unto the commands of God which reach the whole man and require service from the whole And Affliction quickens Desires after Grace to keep these Precepts better so that there may not be a wandring from them Psal 119. 10. With my whole Heart have I sought thee oh let me not wander from thy Commandments Sin 's service becomes more irksome the Law of Sin more grievous but the Lords service is accounted Liberty and Life Rom. 6. 22. But now being made free from Sin and become Servants to God ye have your Fruit unto Holiness and the end Everlasting Life 5. Another good Consequent of Affliction is greater Exactness and Spirituality in Duty and Obedience Affliction causes Saints to Eye their Hearts more which God does Eye Principally Lip Labour Bodily Exercise outward Ceremonies are perceived to be when alone altogether insignificant Afflicted Saints give God their very Hearts The Strength and Vigour of their Spirits and Affections 't is very evident to them that He alone is Worthy of them And Christ not Self has their Confidence Phil. 3. 3. We are the Circumcision who Worship God in the Spirit rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no Confidence in the Flesh Afflicted Saints lift up their Souls to God in his hand they are safe and this is the Way to have them satisfied and fill'd with Joy Psal 86. 4. Rejoice the Soul of thy Servant for unto thee O Lord do I lift up my Soul Duties to God are performed with more Grace
has done its work for which 't was laid upon you 'T is sad when Affliction goes off without doing any good to the afflicted when the Rod is like the first King that Israel had given in Gods Anger and taken away in his Wrath. When the Lord afflicts his Dispensations are mixed Checker-work Black and White Goodness and Severity together and there should be a Mixture of Holy Affections that are diverse one from the other answerably in your Hearts This is notably represented by one of our English Poets and his Verses have a great deal of Sense and Direction in them Ah my dear angry Lord Since thou dost Love yet strike Herberts Bitter-sweet P. 165. Cast down yet help afford Sure I will do the like I will complain the Praise I will bewail approve And all my four-sweet days I will lament and love Be not too eager for the removal of the stroke you smart under that removal is but a common Mercy but the Sanctification of it is peculiar kindness that which accompanies Salvation If the Plaister lies not on long enough it heals not the Sore if the Potion be cast up again assoon as taken down it works not a cure God knows when 't is fittest to remove your trouble therefore be dump with Silence and wait with Patience till this fittest time comes David did so though he was in an horrible Pit in the Miry Clay he was not over eager to be pluckt out but exercised Patience and how Happy was the issue Psal 40. 1 2 3. I waited patiently for the Lord and he inclined unto me and heard my cry he brought me up also out of an horrible Pit out of the Miry Clay and set my Feet upon a Rock and established my goings And he hath put a new Song in my Mouth even Praise unto our God many shall see it and fear and trust in the Lord. 8. Under Affliction let there be a most profound Subjection to the Father of Spirits Lights and Mercies The Father of Spirits will take special care of Souls and consult their Health and Reace and endless welfare If the Soul be safe the Body must be safe in the same Bottom The Body that belongs to a sanctified Soul must be a Glorious Body at the Resurrection of the Just And since the Lord is the Father of Lights you may conclude he perfectly understands what is most conducive to your Interest and what kind and degree of Affliction is most expedient and best for you and because he is the Father of Mercies Mercy he delights in as a man does in his own off-spring he will deal tenderly with you Mercy shall not be forgotten in the greatest Severity Psal 103. 13. Like as a Father pittieth his Children so the Lord pittieth them that fear him for he knoweth our frame and remembreth we aye dust Subjection to God when he afflicts becomes you and besides this Subjection is the way of Life Heb. 12. 9. Furthermore we have had Fathers of our Flesh who corrected us and we gave them Reverence shall we not much rather be in Subjection to the Father of Spirits and live Subjection to God is the wisest course to have temporal Life prolonged and liv'd to purpose and Eternal Life at length vouchsafed In the second Place I am to direct you how to carry it after Affliction now is a time of great danger when the Heart is apt to shew both its Wickedness and Deceitfulness together and to grow secure as if all Peril were over therefore 1. Keep alive in your Hearts the same Apprehensions of things after Affliction which you had under Affliction Things are really as they were though we of Sick grow well again therefore our thoughts of them should not alter The great Truths revealed and so much insisted on in the Word of God in Affliction had deep Impressions upon our Spirits How clearly and concernedly did we then perceive that Christ is the onely Saviour that all things were justly to be accounted loss that he might be gained We lookt upon time as too precious a thing to be spent Idly or Wickedly The Soul was lookt upon as more worth than the whole World and more to be regarded not to be neglected for the Worlds sake Mat. 16. 26. What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole World and lose his own Soul or what shall a man give in exchange for his Soul How did the thoughts of Eternity affect our Hearts when we were in the depth of Affliction Our Apprehensions of this Truth were amazing That all must quickly be in Eternity and all must be unto Eternity either in Joy or Wo. Our Conceptions of these and such like things were most rectified in Affliction therefore when Affliction is removed our Judgments should still remain the same The concerns of another World should always be esteemed far greater than the highest concerns of this Seriousness well becomes us in those matters which are of Everlasting Consequence where carelesness or mistake will issue in endless ruine understanding Diligence in Eternal Happiness 2. After Affliction be very Jealous over your own Spirits which are so very prone to deal treacherously both with God and your selves You are not naturally trusty to either but unfaithful to God and unfaithful to your own Souls Hearken how the Lord complains Hos 6. 7. They like men have transgressed the Covenant they have dealt treacherously against me You do not know your selves to be men if you don't know your selves to be treacherous and strongly inclined to break through all obligations in Point of Duty Gratitude and Interest it self which you are under ever since the first Adams Apostacy and fall from God his Posterity have a vehement Propension to start aside alike deceitful bowes A notable instance of the Hearts treachery in Afflictions and instability upon the removal of it you have Psal 78. 34 35 36 37. When he slew them then they sought him they returned and inquired early after God they remembred that God was their Rock and the high God their Redeemer nevertheless they did flatter him with their Lips and lied unto him with their Tongues for their Heart was not right with him neither were they stedfast in his Covenant Mens Resolutions in Afflictions are like Nautarum Vota the Vows of Marriners in a Storm the first things that are broken when once they get safe to Shore Be sure therefore to check your hearts and lift them up to God to secure them when first you perceive them so much as begin to start aside Apostacy begins in the Heart that does first turn back from God then afterwards the steps decline from his ways distrusting therefore your own Hearts follow Solomons Counsel Prov. 4. 23. And keep them with all diligence and unto your own strictest Vigilancy add fervent Prayer that the Lord would make your Hearts clean Hearts and that he would renew and keep your Spirits right with him Psal 51. 10. 3.
because the Word of God has been observed with no more care Conscience also is still urging To the Law and to the Testimony This is the way to be freed from Trouble and to attain to Peace Psal 119. 165. Great Peace have they that Love thy Law Gal. 6. 16. And as many as walk according to this Rule Peace be on them and Mercy and upon the Israel of God 2. The Rod of Affliction takes off from worldly Business and Diversions and hereupon they that are afflicted are at better leasure to consider their ways Eccles 7. 14. In the day of Adversity consider God is not to be complained of for punishing Sin but men who are punished should search and try their ways and turn to Him Lam. 3. 39 40. Inconsiderateness is spoken of as the occasion of a World of Wickedness and 't is exclaimed against as very offensive and inexcusable Isa 1. 2 3. Hear O Heavens and give ear O Earth for the Lord hath spoken I have nourished and brought up Children and they have rebelled against me The Ox knows his owner and the Ass his Masters Crib but Israel doth not know my People doth not consider Now the more any consider what they do the greater heed they will take to the Word of God for this Word Counsels safely it directs and leads in the way of Peace and Truth and Life Prov. 6. 23. For the Commandment is a Lamp and the Law is Light and Reproofs of Instruction are the way of Life 3. The Rod of Affliction brings God to remembrance whose the Word is and God being remembred his Word is the more awfully regarded Most men forget the Lord all their days Jer. 2. 32. Can a Maid forget her Ornaments or a Bride her attire yet my People have forgotten me days without number And forgetting the Lord they forget themselves their Duty and their Interest Affliction is a means to bring God to mind and his hand being lifted up and there being a Rod in his hand there is a more heedful looking into his Word to know his Pleasure and what is the ground of his present displeasure and controversie Job was desirous to know his Transgression and Sin and wherefore it was that God hid his Face and counted him for his Enemy Job 13. 23 24. 4. The Rod of Affliction brings Iniquity to remembrance which is contrary to the Word of God The very first stroke of Correction how of a sudden has it opened mens Eyes and marshall'd their Sins more terrible than an Army with Banners before them Psal 50. 21. I will reprove thee and set them in Order before thine Eyes Now the remembrance of Sin is a great ingredient in true Contrition and Repentance which the Word of God so often calls for Ezek. 36. 31. Then shall ye remember your evil ways and doings that have not been good and shall loath your selves in your own sight for your Iniquities and Abominations To remember Sin in Hell will be to remember Sin too late and the Eternal Remembrance of it and the Folly and Perverseness in giving way to it will be a great part of the Sinners Eternal Torment But to remember Sin in Affliction is very profitable how evident now is the deceitfulness of it All its pretences of Impunity Gain and Pleasure are found altogether vain This is One great Lesson of the Rod. Sin cheats all its Servants and quickly ends in Sorrow 5. The Rod of Affliction brings Duty to remembrance which the Word of God requires Omission and neglect of Duty and negligence in Duty are then reflected on with grief for if Duty had been more seriously and frequently performed possibly the stroke might not have been felt and suppose it had improving of Ordinances might have furnished the Heart with more Faith and Patience to have born it And now says the Rod be better acquainted with the Word know thy Duty and from what Principle thou art to act after what manner and to what end Act from Spiritual Life let Faith work by Love and the more there is of the Heart and will in Obedience 't is the better and let it be the constant design that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4. 11. Affliction vehemently urges unto practical Godliness and unto walking in newness of Life Doers of the Word are blessed in their deed whereas those Professours are Self-deceivers who satisfie themselves with a Faith which Works not but is dead Jam. 1. 22. But be ye doers of the Word and not hears only deceiving your own selves V. 25. Whoso looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty and continueth therein he being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the Work this man shall be blessed in his deed 6. The Rod of Affliction brings Death to remembrance and Death brings the Night when the Work which the Word of God calls for can be done no more Joh. 9. 4. I must work the Works of him that sent me while 't is day the night cometh when no man can work When a man seriously meditates on Death how wise will it make him he will number his days aright and do the Work for which time and days are given him Psal 90. 12. Teach us so to number our days that we may apply our Hearts to Wisdom And if Death be brought to remembrance by Affliction Judgment which follows at the heels of Death will also be thought of And this Judgment will be according to the Word of God for this Book among others will be opened at the great day and Sentence pass'd according to it Joh. 12. 48. The Word which I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last day The Consideration of a future Judgment how will it quicken to the study search and Practise of the Word If the Word now bind thee because of thy Vnbelief and Impenitency in Sin thou art bound in Heaven If the Word now condemns thee continuing as thou art the Judge also will most certainly condemn thee But if the Word at present does acquit thee the Judge also will absolve thee If the Word pronounces thee blessed because Poor in Spirit Meek a Mourner for Sin one that hungers and thirsts after Righteousness because pure in Heart a Peace-maker and one that is willing to suffer Persecution for Righteousness sake rather than cease the Practice of Righteousness Mat. 5. 3 10. Being thus pronounced Blessed by the Word Our Lord will never contradict himself but at last will say to thee Come thou Blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdom prepared for thee from the Foundation of the World Mat. 25. 34. I come in the last place to the Application USE I. Of Information From the Doctrine we may learn several useful Lessons 1. We may be instructed concerning the end of Affliction which is our truer Knowledg and Holiness The Rod sends us to the Word from whence Wisdom comes Prov. 2. 6. For the Lord giveth Wisdom out of
A PRESENT For such as have been SICK and are RECOVERED Or a DISCOURSE concerning The GOOD which comes out OF THE EVIL of AFFLICTION Being several Sermons Preached after his being raised from a Bed of Languishing By Nathanael Vincent M. A. Minister of the Gospel Psal 119. 75. I know O Lord that thy Judgments are right and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Metrodor London Printed by T. S. for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1693. THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY To his Honoured Elder and onely Brother Mr. John Vincent of North-hill in the County of Cornwall Dear Brother THough you affect to lead a retired Life Procul negotiis Ut Prisca Gens mortalium Yet I presume this Dedication will not be unacceptable to you since it signifies my Recovery from those Distempers which I thought would have left you without a Brother in the World Many indeed were concerned for me Desired and Prayed that I might be spared and restored I wish my Pains may be blesst and beneficial to them according to their Hopes and Expectations They are thankful to God that they still enjoy my Labours and I know the restoring of my Health will be matter of your Thanksgiving who are so full of Brotherly Affection 'T is Pitty a Man of your Learning Parts and Prudence has not appeared in a more Publick Station You might have been a more Common Good more your Countreys Ornament and Benefactour if your excess of Modesty had not cast a Veil over your great Abilities I take it for granted that as you have done so you will still adhere to His Opinion who said Bene qui latuit bene vixit And may you much enjoy your self My Dear Brother and which is infinitely better may you enjoy much of God in your Beloved â—olitude May that small Company which have the Happiness of your Acquaintance be directed by your Advice when they need it and better'd by your Example And may all the Gentry in my Native Countrey of Cornwal look upon all Debauchery and Wickedness as Bruitish and as much below them as you do I wish the Sword of Justice were in your hand if it were I perswade my self that the Profane who deserve it woul feel the Edge of it and your unblemisht Life falling under greater Observation would make those that are otherwise ashamed of the Spots wherewith their Lives are stained I know you are not a Stranger to Afflictions of diverse kinds This Book which I here Present you with is not improper for your Perusal 'T is my Desire that no good thing may be withheld from You or Yours and that all Evils by their Sanctification to you may have their Nature quite alter'd and work together for your good May Divine Grace be sufficient for you till you are brought safe to the Heavenly Glory and Kingdom There are the best wishes for you that can be and are the constant daily ones of Your most Affectionate Brother and humble Servant for Christs Sake Nathanael Vincent TO THE READERS Especially those who attend upon my Ministry AFfliction is an Argument much Discoursed of and the thing it self is commonly felt for Man is born unto trouble as the Sparks fly upward And yet how few know how to improve Affliction so as to be indeed the better for it Judgments though dreadful ones have little amended this Present Age. Rods have been spent in vain for men have received no Correction Sin is an inveterate and stubborn malady hard to be cured the League between the Heart and its beloved Lusts is not easily broken Sinners are inexcusable in not hearing when God speaks to them but when he smites them and yet they are as if they were without Sence how void do they shew themselves both of Grace and Reason Affliction in this World is in Order to amendment and so to prevent future Sorrows and Wrath in the next And Happy those who turn to Him that smites them and are afraid of feeling the uttermost of Sin 's desert and God's displeasure But they who will not be purged in the Furnace of Affliction now but hold fast Deceit and refuse to return from their evil and destructive Ways shall be thrown at last into the flaming Furnace of Hell-fire whose heat will never end or abate and unalterable Confirmation in Wickedness will be a great part of their Eternal Misery The Word of God commands that the Rod should be heard and how feelingly does it teach and how dull and stupid are they who will not learn the Lessons of it The design of this Treatise is to make Affliction beneficial to them that labour under it that they may not endure a great deal of Sickness Pain and trouble to no purpose Corporal Distempers are Spiritual Physick and this Book shews what the Regimen Government is which they should be under that use it that it may work well and conduce to the soundness of the Mind and the Souls Healthiness Now the Prosperity and Health of the Soul is beyond all Conception valuable Where this Health is how clear is the Judgment how Pure the Conscience How Conformable the Will unto the Will and Law of God which is so Holy Just and Good How rightly are the Affections placed Sin being most hated which is really most hateful and the Lord being loved above all who is most worthy to be loved Such an Healthy Soul has a good Appetite unto spiritual Food is strong to walk with God and to work hard for God 't is strong to resist Temptations to Evil and to maintain the Combate with spiritual Enemies and to bear Persecution for the sake of Righteousness Finally an Healthy Soul is strong through Faith Fear Love and Patience to persevere in well-doing till Glory Honour Life and Immortality are attained Such Healthy Souls I wish all afflicted Ones and that the following Instructions and Counsels may have a mighty Influence and Efficacy this way I my Self of late have again and again drunk of the bitter Cup of Affliction I desire and hope to Experience more and more the Medicinal Vertue of it And much good may this Cup do to all that have it put into their hands The Text I handle was the first I preached upon after I come out of a Sick-bed into the Pulpit My design in Publishing these Sermons is that the Hearts of the Afflicted may be stedfast with God after he has thrown the Rod out of his Hand and that the Rod may bring forth more lasting Fruits of Righteousness N. V. These Books written by the Reverend Author are sold by Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and â—hree Crowns at the lower end of Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel VVOrthy Walking Pressed upon all that have 〈…〉 Call of the Gospel From Eph. 4. 1. I therefore the Prisoner of the Lord beseech you that ye walk worthy of the Vocation wherewith ye are called The Spirit of